Chinese Immersion?

Today at the hospital, I over heard one of the nurses talking about an elementary school, in Centerville, that is having a lottery for the students in its Chinese Immersion Program. Chinese Immersion? Today was the deadline to apply for the lottery. I went straight to the school and made sure Winter was entered into the lottery. Chinese Immersion? Do I want her in Chinese Immersion? I don't really know, but I do know I didn't want to miss my chance to get her in if I do decide it is what I want for her.

I called Cory to ask him what he thought, but he seemed indifferent to the whole thing. He said he "wouldn't be heartbroken if she doesn't get in."

Just a week ago it dawned on me, I might need to sign Winter up for kindergarten if she is going to attend in the fall. Then, this past weekend, my sister-in-laws that already have had their children go through kindergarten, asked me what was our plan for Winter. "Umm, send her to kindergarten with all the other kids in the neighborhood." It was pointed out to me that she is way too advanced to just go to kindergarten and get anything out of it. CRAP! So I thought I was giving her this great foundation and helping her learn lots by sending her to Challenger. Really all I have done is made sure she was challenged in Pre-K and now she is going to go learn nothing during kindergarten? "Yep!" was the resounding confirmation from all the moms in the room.

Winter is bright, there is no question about it. She is so smart I know she is going to be just like Cory, just brilliant. GREAT! But how do I help her succeed? How do I make sure she is learning and being challenged in school so she is not getting in trouble? Cory and I both agree that our schools could have done a better job educating us. Now there is 'no child left behind' and things are catered to children that need more help instead of those that need to be challenged. I personally know that there are a few children likely to be in her class that are going to be holding things up if she goes to the neighborhood elementary. What can I do? I feel like if she was in an immersion program, at least then I know she will be learning something her kindergarten year at school. What if she doesn't get in? Then what shall I teach her at home to make sure she is still learning something. Someone with all the answers please contact me. Tell me what to do. A few weeks ago I had it all figured out. Now I have motherly anxiety to the 10th degree.


Fingers crossed I am making the right choices with the options I have.

Pregnant again?!

Every once and a while I go looking for a certain photo and come across ones that are just priceless. I am not the most nurturing mother, or the most crafty, or the most anything. I am just me, the mother that they have and will always be thankful for my children. Recently with being pregnant I think to myself at least once a day, 'oh my goodness! there is going to be three of them.' Soon I feel overwhelmed and maybe even a little remorse about my decision to have a third child. I grew up where most families had only two children, and that was plenty. I have also had a few response from people like 'again?! you are preggers AGAIN?!' I know I have two already and most people I know only have one or have not even started their families, but for me, I wanted to be done at 30, and we are planning on four. So prepare yourselves, a fourth in all likelihood, will be announced in the next few years. I can't explain it to people who don't have children. I can't explain it to myself because mothering is not my best quality, so why should I have a bunch of children. All I can say is, it's right for us. I found this video in my searching today and it makes all my fears go away. My girl is such a gem in my life and now with her brother being almost at the same age, we are having a baby at the best time ever.



Our nurse also happens to be Cory's mother. How lucky are we?!

Put a ring on it

Cory and I often talk about couples that date forever and then may, or most often not, get married. We dated for nearly 2 years before he asked me. By Utah standards that is 10 times too long. We both knew we wanted to be together. There were just a few things that made it more complicated than just go ahead and get married. First, I was 19 when I met him. He and I both needed a little more time to be sure it was meant to be. We spent the summer apart because I went home to Virginia. I think he got all the dating he wanted to do out of his system then. Shortly after I got back he asked me to be his girlfriend. Second, I was not Mormon, I know it's shocking! He dated me, made me his girlfriend, told me he loved me, all before I joined the Church. I'm a little slow to make a commitment to things that are so life changing. I wanted to know as much as possible. Cory has always said he could see the sweetness inside me and knew I would feel it was right.

Anyway, he put a ring on it and I couldn't have been happier to have him forever. I saw this awhile ago and thought I would share. It made me laugh :)

3

A third child will be blessing our family on Sept. 30th, 2011.

I am not extremely "church-ie" but something about a child coming into the world makes me thank the heavens for my life and all that I am truly blessed with. My patriarchal blessing says that my children will be my greatest accomplishment. Looks like I will have 3 of my greatest accomplishments :)
My cup runneth over!

Family Photos

RUN!! So every time I am in a photo that I take myself I also have a few of these...
That's me mid-sprint to get in the photo. Obviously we are also to far away for a quality image anyway. It was bitterly cold and Winter was in short sleeves for lack of a better outfit, so we only did two locations and for only like 5 minutes each. Here's what we got...

Right before the ones with Winter and I, we found out that our Ogden house's basement flooded. Needless to say I was not happy to hear that news. Sorry for the kind of faked smile.

Here this one is better.
It was my birthday.



And of course I love the kissing photo, even if no one else does.